Dispensing carton for paper cups



Nov. 25, 1958 Filed June 18, 1956 o. L. VINES 2,861,717

DISPENSING CARTON FOR PAPER CUPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oscar L. Vines ATTORNEYS INVENTOR Nov. 25, 1955 o. L. VINES 2,861,717

DISPENSING CARTON FOR PAPER CUPS Filed June 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY v OSCCII L. Vines ATTORNE United States Patent DISPENSING CARTON FOR PAPER CUPS Oscar Vines, New York, N. Y.,. assignor to Continental Paper Company, Ridgefield. Park, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 18, 1956, Serial No. 592,032 Claims. (Cl. 221-63) This invention relatesto dispensing cartons and, more particularly, to a paperboard carton for dispensing paper cups and the like;

Numerous attempts have been made heretofore to provide a dispensing device for paper cups and the like. Successful devices of this type have been made of metal, but prior attempts to make such a carton from paperboard have been far less successful. To the best of my knowledge ,.all previous paperboard carton constructions adapted for use as a dispenser' of paper cups have either embodied an extraneous structure which is separately secured to the interior of the paperboard carton or have embodied the expedient of requiring the user to manipulate the carton in some manner which then adapts it as adispensing device.

Lhave now devised a paperboard dispensing carton for paper cups which does not require any extraneous attachment and which does not require any manipulation by the user in order to transform it into the desired dispenser. The dispensing carton of my invention comprises four interconnected side walls defining a tubular carton, of substantially square cross-section, and a partition wall extending across the lower portion of the interior of the carton parallel to and spaced from one of the side walls. The upper edge of the partition wall is provided withv a downwardly extending trough-like configuration, and the partition wall may advantageously also beprovided with a centrally positioned laterally extending slot-like opening.

The carton, of my invention is formed from an integral blank ofsubstantially rectangular form. The blank isprovided with four longitudinal scorelines which divjde the blank into four successively positioned side wall panels of uniform width and an endmost glue panel. The blank is provided with a laterally projecting abbreviated partition panel integrally connected along one side, thereof'tothe distal edge of the glue panel near the lower end thereof, and a second glue panel is integrally connected to the other side of the partition panel along a fifth;fo ld line substantially parallel to the other longitudinal fold lines. panel: is provided with a downwardly extending troughlike. configuration.

not necessarily, provided with a laterally extending slotli ke opening positioned substantially intermediate the two sides of the, panel.

T hese and other. novel features of the carton and carton blank of my invention will be more readily understood by, reference to, the accompanying drawings in.

which Fig. 2 is'a side elevation, partly in section, of the The upper edge of-the-partition;

Either the partition panel or the second glue panel, or both, is advantageously, although- Fig, 1 is a broken plan view. of. a carton blank em-- bfldying, the invention;

blank of Fig. '1;

2,861,717 Patented Nov. 25, 1958 Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the dispensing carton formed from the blank of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of a modified portion of the partition panel structure of the carton blank embodying my invention; and

Fig. 5 is a partial plan view of another modification of a carton blank embodying the invention.

The carton blank shown in Fig. 1 comprises a substantially rectangular blank 10' provided with four longitudinalscorelines11, 12, 13 and 14 which are equally spaced across the blank so as to divide the blank into four successively positioned side wall panels 15, 16, 17 and 18 and an endmost glue panel 19, respectively. The width of the sidewall panels is preferably equal to or only slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the cup with whichthe assembled carton is to be loaded; Near-the lower'end of the blank, and along the distal edge 20 of the glue panel 19, the blank is provided with a laterally projecting abbreviated partition panel 21 integrally connected foldably along the lower portion 22 of the distal edge of the glue panel 19. A second glue panel 23 is integrally connected to the other side of the partition panel 21 along a fifth longitudinal fold line 24 substantially parallel to; the other fold lines 11 through 14; The partition panel 21 is characterized by the fact that its upper edge is provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration 25. This trough-like configuration 25 of the partition panel may be V-shaped or it may have the form of an are or it may be substantially U-shaped; As explained hereinafter, each of these configurations makes it possible for the lip of a paper cup to be deflected by' the partition panel as the cup is pulled downwardly therepast.

The carton can be assembled on a straight line gluing.

second glue paneli23 are then folded forwardly as aunitabout the lower portion 22 of the distal edge of the glue panel 19, and then the panels 18, 19, 21 and 23 are folded. forwardly as a unit about the third lon-.

gitudinal fold .line 13; The final assembly operation consists of folding the first side wall panel 15 forwardly about the first longitudinal fold line 11 so that the distal portion of the panel 15' overlaps and becomes secured to the glue panel 19.

As can be seen clearly in Fig. 2, the partition panel. 21 of the resulting carton structure is positioned within. the interior lower portion of the carton substantially parallel to the sidewall. panel 18 and is spaced therefrom a distance equal to the width of the first glue panel 19; When a stack of nested paper cups 26 is positioned withinthe assembled carton,vthe cups in the lower portion ofthe stack are displaced away from the. side wall 18.

by the partition panel 21, this.displacement being sufficient to cause slight-bulging of .the distal opposite side wall beyond the lower extremity'of' the partition edge .25' so that the lip of the: lowermost cup can be positioned between the; partition panel'21 and the sidewall panel;16.v

The resulting compression of, the cupsbetween the partition panel 21 and the sidewall panel 16 is sufiicient to v distort the cups into a somewhat oval shape, but. the.v inherent compressibility of" the paper cups permits them.

to be forcibly drawn downwardly between these two panels.

Thus, when 'the bottom of the lowermostcup is grasped and" pulled downwardly,- this cup is forciblydrawn through the restricted opening provided bythepartition panel 21 and the opposite side wall panel 16 but the next adjacent cup, not being similarly grasped, is retained substantially stationary by the cooperative compressive action of the partition panel 21 and the side wall panel 16. 'In this way, only the bottommost cup of the stack can be drawn out of the lower end of the dispensing carton and all of the other cups of the stack will remain therewithin.

The guidance of the cup into the restricted passageway defined by the partition panel 21 and the distal opposite side wall panel 16 is further facilitated by the advantageous structure shown in Fig. 4. In this modified structure, the substantially U-shaped trough-like configuration of the partition panel is provided by two downwardly converging outlines 28 extending inwardly from the fold lines 22 and 24 but terminating short of one another. The portion of each of the fold lines 22 and 24 immediately above their respective intersections with the cut lines 28 is further out along the upper portion of the panel 21 as shown at 29. The resulting structure provides an upwardly projecting tongue portion 30 which is capable of being bent diagonally out of the plane of the partition panel 21 by the descending cups. The tongue 30 thus aids in deflecting the cups from their normal position centered within the tubular carton and into the restricted passageway provided by the partition panel 21 and the opposite side wall panel 16. In order to permit the lips of the cups to pass freely by the upper edge of the tongue portion, I have found it advantageous to-provide the upper edge of the tongue with a trough-like configuration 30a similar to the trough-like configuration 25 of the main body of the partition panel.

I have also found it advantageous, but not always essential, to provide either the partition panel 21 or the second glue panel 23 with at least one laterally extending slot-like opening 31 positioned substantially intermediate the sides of the panelsv Thus, these panels may be provided with one, two or three such openings in order to facilitate retention of the next-to-the-bottom cup as the bottom cup is being withdrawn from the lower end of the carton. When at least one such slot-like opening is provided in both the partition panel 21 and the second glue panel 23, it is advantageous to have this pair of openings in a cooperative position, i. e. at the same level. The slot-like opening 31 formed in the partition panel 21 advantageously has the form of a hinged flap 32 capable of being bent out of the plane of the partition panel by the lip of a cup. The configuration of the cut portion of the panel defining the flap 32 is such as to provide upwardly curved shoulder portions 33 which assure a firm grip for the lip .of the cup. The completely open slots 31 provided in the second glue panel 23 permit the lip of the cup to enter this opening to a depth equal to the thickness of the paperboard even though the glue panel is secured to the side wall panel 17 in the assembled carton. If desired, one or more slots 42 similar to the flap-covered opening 31 may be provided in either or both of the side wall panels 15 and 16 without unduly opening the carton to entry of dust from the ambient atmosphere.

The carton blank of the invention may also be provided with a conventional nail-receiving slot 34 so that the carton may be hung on a wall. The top and bottom of the carton is also provided advantageously with conventional top and bottom closure flaps 35 and 36, respectively, these flaps preferably being connected to the main body of the blank along top and bottom transverse fold lines 37 and 38, respectively. I have found that when the carton is provided with theseend closure flaps, it is also advantageous to provide the blank with a perforated line 39 extending upwardly from the bottom transverse fold line 38 and across the major portion of three successive side wall panels. By further providing the fourth side wall panel with a bottom end closure flap connected thereto by a similar perforated line '40, the entire bottom portion of the assembled carton can be tom away by grasping the front lower corner thereof with the fingers and then pulling it away to leave the opening indicated at 41 in Fig. 2.

It will be seen, accordingly, that the carton structure of my invention provides a dispenser for paper cups and the like which does not require any extraneous fitting or any manipulation by the user except for that necessary to open the carton. The structure of this carton is such that it can be substantially hermetically sealed at the time it is loaded with cups and that it protects the cups from dust even after it has been opened for use.

I claim:

1. A blank for a dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises a substantially rectangular blank provided with four longitudinal score lines dividing the blank into four successively positioned side wall panels of uniform width and an endmost glue panel, a laterally projecting abbreviated partition panel integrally connected foldably along one side thereof the distal edge of the glue panel near the lower end thereof, and a second glue panel integrally connected to the other side of the partition panel along a fifth fold line substantially parallel to the other fold lines, the upper edge of the partition panel being provided with a substantially centrally positioned and downwardly extending trough-like configuration.

2. A blank for a dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises a substantially rectangular blank provided with four longitudinal score lines dividing the blank into four successively positioned side wall panels of uniform width and an endmost glue panel, a laterally projecting abbreviated partition panel integrally connected foldably along one side thereof to the distal edge of the glue panel near the lower end thereof, and a second glue panel integrally connected to the other side of the partition panel along a fifth fold line substantially parallel to the other fold lines, the upper edge of the partition panel being provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration, the fold lines adjacent the upper portion of the partition panel being cut and the lower extremities of said cuts communicating with downwardly converging non-communicating cut lines in the partition panel.

3. A blank of a dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises a substantially rectangular blank provided with four longitudinal score lines dividing the blank into four successively positioned side wall panels of uniform width and an endmost glue panel, a laterally projecting abbreviated partition panel integrally connected foldably along one side thereof to the distal edge of the glue panel near the lower end thereof, and a second glue panel integrally connected to the other side of the partition panel along a fifth fold line substantially parallel to the other fold lines, the upper edge of the partition panel being provided with a substantially centrally positioned and downwardly extending trough-like configuration, at least one of the partition panel and second glue panel being provided with a laterally extending slotlike opening positioned substantially intermediate the two sides of the panel.

4. A blank for a dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises a substantially rectangular blank provided with four longitudinal score lines dividing the blank into four successively positioned side wall panels of uniform width and an endmost glue panel, a laterally projecting abbreviated partition panel integrally connected foldably along one side thereof to the distal edge of the glue panel nearvthe lower end thereof, and a second glue panel integrally connected to the other side of the partition panel along a fifth fold line substantially parallelto the other fold lines, the upper edge of the partition panel being provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration, at least one of the partition panel and second glue panel being provided with a laterally extending slot-like opening positioned substantially intermediate the two sides of the panel, the fold lines, adjacent the upper portion of the partition panel being cut and the lower extremities of said cuts communicating with downwardly convierging non-communicating cut lines in the partition pane 5. A blank for a dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises a substantially rectangular blank provided with four longitudinal score lines dividing the blank into four successively positioned side wall panels of uniform width and an endmost glue panel, a laterally projecting abbreviated partition panel integrally connected foldably along one side thereof to the distal edge of the glue panel near the lower end thereof, and a second glue panel integrally connected to the other side of the partition panel along a fifth fold line substantially parallel to the other fol-d lines, the upper edge of the partition panel being provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration, the partition panel being provided with a laterally extending slot-like opening positioned substantially intermediate the two sides of the panel and the second glue panel being provided with a pluralityof laterally extending slot-like openings positioned substantially intermediate the two sides of the glue panel.

6. A dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises four interconnected side walls defining a tubular carton of substantially square cross-section only slightly larger than the diameter of the cup, and a partition wall extending across the lower portion of the interior of the carton parallel to and spaced from one of the side walls a distance greater than the difierence between the cross-sectional dimension of the tubular carton and the diameter of the cups, the upper edge of the partition wall being provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration so as to laterally compress each cup as the cup is drawn therepast and thus require forcible withdrawing action to remove each cup from the lower end of the carton.

7. A dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises four interconnected side walls defining a tubular carton of substantially square cross-section only slightly larger than the diameter of the cups, and a partition wall extending across the lower portion of the interior of the carton parallel to and spaced from one of the side walls, the upper edge of the partition wall being provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration and with an upwardly and outwardly projecting tongue portion integrally connected to the central portion of said trough-like upper edge.

8. A dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises four interconnected side walls defining a tubular carton of substantially square cross-section, and a partition wall extending across the lower portion of the interior of the carton parallel to and spaced from one of the side walls, the upper edge of the partition wall being provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration, the side edges of the partition wall being provided with integrally connected glue flaps one'of which is integrally connected to the side edge of one of the side walls and the second of which is adhesively secured to its adjacent side Wall in a position extending away from the side wall to which the other glue panel is connected, at (least one of the partition wall and the second glue flap being provided with a laterally extending slot-like opening positioned substantially intermediate the sides thereof.

9. A blank for a dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises a substantially rectangular blank provided with four longitudinal score lines dividing the blank into four successively positioned side Wall panels of uniform width and an endmost glue panel, a laterally projecting abbreviated partition panel integrally connected foldably along one side thereof to the distal edge of the glue panel near the lower end thereof, and a second glue panel integrally connected to the other side of the partition panel along a fifth fold line substantially parallel to the other fold lines, the upper edge of the partition panel being provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration, at least one of the partition panel and second glue panel being provided with a laterally extending slot-like opening positioned substantially intermediate the two sides of the panel, and the two side wall panels most remote from the first-mentioned glue panel being each provided with a laterally extending slot-like opening positioned substantially intermediate the score lines defining these panels and laterally aligned with the first-mentioned slot-like opening.

10. A dispensing carton for paper cups and the like which comprises four interconnected side walls defining a tubular carton of substantially square cross-section, and a partition wall extending across the lower portion of the interior of the carton parallel to and spaced from one of the side walls, the upper edge of the partition wall being provided with a downwardly extending trough-like configuration, the side edges of the partition wall being pro vided with integrally connected glue flaps one of which is integrally connected to the side edge of one of the side walls and the second of which is adhesively secured to its adjacent side wall in a position extending away from the "side wall to which the other glue panel is connected, at

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,741,474 Moore Dec. 31, 1929 2,339,383 Davidson Jan. 18, 1944 2,360,765 Davidson Oct. 17, 1944 2,611,529 Currivan Sept. 23, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,861,717 November 25, 1958 Oscar L Vines It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 19, for "thereof the" read thereof to the line 43, for "blank of read blank for n; column 5, line 27, for "the cup read the cups Signed and sealed this 10th day of March 1959.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Ofiicer Commissioner of Patents 

